Happy New Year

Here I have used one of the Happy New Year printable stamps from The Cutting Cafe on a bottle of Bollinger!. We are visiting my brother's over the holidays and I thought this tag would be a perfect for a lovely bottle of champagne for the New Year!

This is the 1st bottle tag that I have ever made and I am quite pleased on how it turned out.

It was ever so easy to make and you can embellish them as much as you like. I can't seem to deviate from my projects being girlie, so on this one I resisted to use a bow but I thought with the harlequin paper it would be a suitable gift for my brother and sister in-law. That is, the booze for my brother and the tag for my sister in-law!

I am hoping there is not too much snow over the next few days as we have a long journey to Kent and it will be so lovely for the cousins to meet up and all their news.

Back at The Cutting Cafe!

I am sooooo happy that I am back again as a design team member for Regina Easter at The Cutting Cafe, starting in January, 2011. Last term I was so busy with family commitments that I decided to take a break. In a way it was fortunate I had a break, because my Pazzles was poorly and had to go away to be fixed, but now it's back, and I'm a happy crafter!


I can't tell you how I missed designing projects for Regina using The Cutting Cafe's printable stamps and templates. I particularly love the .wpc files that Regina designs as I can easily cut them on my Pazzles machine. The files also come in .pdf format so no one misses out.

I hope your will be able to pop back and take a look at my projects but also take a look now at The Cutting Café printable stamps and templates, they are gorgeous!

Shaped Santa Hat

I love this fun shaped santa hat template from The Cutting Cafe. I have also used the Merry Christmas background printable stamp for the main part of the hat.

This Santa Hat Shaped template is really fun and quick to use. For the bobble and rim I have used my Cuttlebug with an embossing folder to give some dimension.

I found these flower buttons and pearls in my stash.

I finally added this gingham bow with a bit of outlining using my pen tool in my Pazzles machine.

I have entered this card into the following challenges:-

2 sisters challenge blog #17 - Twas the night before Christmas
A spoonful of sugar challenge #133 - Christmas Card
Bildmalarna - Anything goes
Craft your passion - Anything goes

Fabulous Find Winner at Pazzles!

Yesterday I received a lovely e-mail from Pazzles.....

Congratulations! Your project has been selected as this week's fabulous find. Your project will be featured front and center on our website and featured in our newsletter that is sent out to all of our craft room members! Thank you so much for sharing you beautiful work with us!

They even offered me a gift as a thank you for sharing my project! I was super surprised and on cloud nine for the whole day!

Here is the link to the Pazzles website:-
http://www.pazzles.net/wordpress/2010/12/09/homemade-gifts

and here is the link for details of my project and more photos on my blog if you missed it!
http://jlwcards.blogspot.com/2010/12/shaped-ornament-and-box.html

Shaped Christmas Card

This was a super quick card (told you I was making up for lost crafting time!). I cut out the Shaped Frame base card and made a smaller frame for the main focus of the card.

I used the Christmas Mini Coloured set.....printable stamps from The Cutting Cafe. I printed the December 25th background wording on my colour printer and then cut out the frame shape on my Pazzles. I then cut and layered a smaller frame and used my Cuttlebug to add some dimension to the Kraft card.


Here, I have punched out a snowflake from the same set and layered it onto a scalloped circle. I finally added this gorgeous rhinestone and pearl heart embellishment to the centre.

I have entered this card into several challenges:-

2 Sisters Challenge Blog #16 - Sparkly Christmas
There She Goes #84 - Bring on the Bling!
A Spoonful of Sugar #133 - Christmas Card
Sew Many Cards #34 - Snowflakes
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #112 - Christmas

Shaped Ornament and Box

Well, my Pazzles is back home (hoorah!!!) and last night I started making up for lost time!

Here, I have used the Shaped Christmas Ornament as a topper and the box template from The Cutting Cafe.


As soon as I saw this ornament I thought......I must have it! It comes as a .pdf and .cut file as does the box, so they are super easy to use.

I used the rhinestone and pearl flower embellishment to add the bling factor to the snowflake and Pink Petticoat papers.

I have entered this card into several challenges:-

Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge #112 - Christmas
Sew Many Cards #34 - Snowflakes
Digi Doodle Shop's Best - Let it snow
Dutch Dare - Christmas card/tag or ornament
Ways and Whiskers #42 - Snowflakes
Polka Doodles #49 - Project To Hold a Gift

Number Shaped Card

I am feeling very lost at the moment, my Pazzles machine is sick and gone back to the supplier to be looked at. Hopefully, very soon I will have some news of it's return as I have heaps of Christmas cards waiting to be cut!!

In the meantime I have tided my crafting desk, done some blog hopping, and left some comments. Tonight I have looked through some recent photos of projects that I previously have not had time to upload on my blog.

So here is one I made before my Pazzles went to the Doctors!

One of the teachers at school was turning 50 years old a few weeks ago and my colleagues wanted me to make a card for her with the number 50 on the front. I had my reservations because I new the teacher concerned was not happy about the BIG FIVE ZERO!!!

Anyhow I tried, but I am not completely happy with it.

Pumpkin Shaped Goodie Bag

I made this Pumpkin Shaped Goodie Bag a few weeks ago when I was on The Cutting Cafe design team but wanted to enter it into a few challenges, so now here it is.....

I have cut out the Pumpkin Template on my Pazzles Inspiration using some Pink Petticoat download papers. I am just getting into using these papers as there are some gorgeous designs just at your finger tips.

I then put the sweets in a clear plastic bag, the sort you use for displaying your handmade cards and added a ribbon with a little greeting which was also from Halloween Printable Stamp Set at The Cutting Cafe.

I absolutely adore Jelly Beans so now I have taken the photo I am off to chew through the bag!!!

I have entered this project into various challenges:-

Polka Doodles - Something Spooky
Moving along with the times - Halloween
Pear Tree Designs - Free for all
Creative Inspirations Challenge - Halloween
A spoonful of sugar - Boo
One stop crafts - Halloween

Pumpkin Shaped Card

I love this Pumpkin Shaped Card that I made a few weeks ago with my Pazzles Inspiration using the Pumpkin Shaped card Template from The Cutting Cafe. I used some gorgeous printable papers from Pink Petticoat which were perfect for this project. The ribbon, button and flat backed pearl are all from my local paper craft shop.

The greeting is from Halloween time....Printable Stamp Set which is also from The Cutting Cafe.

I have entered this card into several challenges:-

Totally Gorjuss - Not a square #51
CRAFT Challenge - Shaped Cards #71
Easy Craft Projects - Halloween #23
Aly's Sunday Challenge - Halloween
Digi Doodle - Orange Me Glad

Halloween Pillow Boxes

Oh gosh, I have had a ball with these Pillow Boxes from The Cutting Cafe. I liked them soooo much that I had to make two and I thought these would be perfect to fill with treats for Halloween parties.

They were so easy to use. I chose the card, cut them out on my Pazzles and added a bit of ribbon. Of course you don't need to have a Pazzles die cutting machine as the pillow box shape comes in .pdf format to print out onto your card stock and then you just cut around the shape!

For the sentiments I used the Halloween Time....printable stamp set which has 55 assorted images!

I thought the spider was so cute that I made it into one of those dangler sentiments type things!

Sadly, from October I will no longer be on the Design Team of The Cutting Cafe as I have heaps of commitments up until December but, Regina Easter has a Design Team call, so if you are interested here is the link.

I am entering the pillow boxes into the following challenges:-

Scrap-Creations - Gotta Go Digi

Sew Many Challenges - Happy Halloween Themed

Simon Says Stamp - Holiday Fun

Scalloped Shaped Card

Here I have made a Scalloped Shaped card from The Cutting Cafe using the Circle Scallop Set...templates - cutting files using my Pazzles Inspiration die cutting machine.

I took one of the scalloped circles and scored it in half then cut a plain circle from the set adhering it to the folded scallop.

I then cut out on my Pazzles Inspiration a smaller scallop using Coredinations card. I printed "that's what little girls are made of" ....adorable printable stamp also from The Cutting Cafe and cut it out using my nestability die.

I couldn't finish the card without adding a touch of bling, which every little girl needs!

I have entered this card into the following challenges :

Creative Craft - Circle card
Polka Doodles - Shaped card
Treehouse Thursday - Circle card
Dare U 2 Digi - Shaped Card
Bee Crafty - Anything goes

Pencil Box Template

I can't believe that the summer holidays are nearly over and the kids will be at school in a few days!!!

So, with this in mind I made this Pencil Box Template - Cutting File from The Cutting Cafe. The template comes in .pdf for hand cutting and wpc file extension for use with cutting machines such as in my case the Pazzles Inspiration.

I had one of those wonderful moments combining several files to make this project. I decided to use the Coloured Letters Background...Printable Stamp set and then to print it onto Kraft card. I was soooo excited when it came out of the printer, then hastily placed it on my cutting mat to cut out the Pencil Box Template. Wow, it was just the look I wanted!

I then added the ribbon, bow and scalloped edging to the lid. Finally, I used a 3rd file which was the All about School....printable stamp set to make the little sentiment.

Three files in one project!!!

House Shaped Card

I couldn't resist this House Shaped Card - template from The Cutting Cafe which I cut on my Pazzles Inspiration and I am really pleased how it turned out! I have used some new papers from my local paper craft shop which I am loving.

I cut out the Welcome Home sentiment, a Printable Stamp Set which is a huge set from The Cutting Cafe. I printed the sentiment on my printer and then used my heart shaped die cut to cut it out....sooooo easy.

I couldn't resist a bit of doodling and bling so, I raided my daughter's jewellery bits and added some glass beads on some wire and added this gorgeous heart pearl.

I am saving this card for a friend who is moving house soon if everything goes according to plan!

Rain Boots Shaped Card

Well, we are about to embark on our 1st camping trip with 3 kids.....think of me won't you!!! Today, I went on a last minute shopping trip to by wellie boots for the kids. I was amazed at the wonderful colours and designs that are now available but ended up with plain green wellies for the kids....boring!

I am hopeful for sunny weather but as our past holidays in the UK have been wet and cold I am now prepared for all weathers (especially rain)!!

Anyhow, I saw this amazing Rain Boots Shaped Card Template - Cutting File Set at The Cutting Cafe. Regina has made a lovely pair so go and take a peek. I am a sucker for shaped cards so I couldn't resist this one. The greeting I used is from the Rain Rain Go Away set which features 33 images.

I printed out the greeting and then used my heart shaped nestabilities to cut it out, so quick and easy.

The Cutting Cafe Winner

Drum roll please........and the winner of The Cutting Cafe Shaped Card Christmas Set with Box Template is:-

Lillian Child
"Oh how I love the Christmas season - and these cards are just delish!"

Congratulations Lillian

Could you please e-mail me so I can send you the

Shaped Christmas Card Set with Box Templates.

The winner was generated by Random Org
(sorry couldn't get it to display result!)

Just a little word to say to everyone is that I am overwhelmed by the response, not only the lovely comments but also to the new followers on my blog. This is the 1st time I have ever been on a Design Team and I only started blogging last year so, a massive thank you to each of you for the lovely comments and support!

Joanna xxx

Shaped Christmas Card Set - give-away!

Oh dear, I have heard that my local papercraft shop has stock of Christmas goodies! I daren't go into the shop.......but there again I can wait to see what delicious Christmas crafting delights have arrived, I have NO will power!

Shaped Christmas Card Set

Nevertheless, I needed to make this Shaped Christmas Card set and couldn't bear to drag my 3 children to my local shop in the school holidays. You know what it's like "Mum, I'm bored, can we go now"! So, I have used up some of last years papers and thankfully had enough to make this lovely set.

Regina at The Cutting Cafe is having a give-away.....how exciting. I have made these 4 Shaped Christmas cards which were so easy to cut out on my Pazzles. So, the deal is, if you would like a chance of winning this Cutting Cafe give-away please leave me a lovely comment on this post, and become a follower too!

I'll randomly draw a name for someone to receive this Shaped Christmas Card set with Box Templates and Cutting Files. Just remember to check back when I will post the winner on Saturday, 14th and be sure to leave a way for me to contact you!

Regina Easter will announce the give-away at The Cutting Cafe on Wednesday, 11th August when you can go and check out the links for all the Design Team members that are participating in this give-away.


Good luck and please make sure your comments are in by Friday, 13 August.

Owl Shaped Card

Well, it seems ages since I have had a chance to load anything on here. Summer holidays with 3 kids and hubbie on a business trip in China for 2 weeks.......that's my excuse!

Last night my friend telephoned me to tell me that she had just passed some exams with distinction "Whoo's a clever girl"! So I was crafting till the wee hours of the morning with this card.

I thought I would try using a DoodleBat from scrapNfonts to cut an Owl Shaped Card on my Pazzles. Earlier in the year I won some scrapNfonts downloads from a contest that was held by Regina Easter who ran Bitten By The Bug. This is the 1st time I have tried to cut from a DoodleBat and I am sure to do it again as it was so easy. It was great fun to make and somehow I think the owl is rather cute!

I saw this lovely paper at my local papercraft shop and thought it would be ideal for the owl. I am very much into googlie eyes at the moment, it must be the influence of having the kids around me whilst I craft during the summer holidays.

I also used my pen tool to write the greeting and then cut out the oval........how wonderful is that!

So here it is a quick card that I now need to pop into the post to congratulate my friend on her exam success.

Note Pad Set

I have had the best day yesterday. I travelled all the way to Rochester in Kent for a Pazzles gathering. I met some lovely crafty people all of who own a Pazzles Inspiration die cutting machine. We learnt some fantastic new features from our demonstrators Tracy and Anne who have inspired us all to get crafting with our Pazzles!

I met some wonderful people, we swapped e-mail and blog addresses so the family of Pazzle owners in the UK is growing.

Well, a few weeks ago my 6 year old son came out of plaster when he broke his leg landing badly on our trampoline. Now, my 10 year old daughter has a broken arm and is in plaster up to her shoulder having had an accident at a local sporting event. She is very proud of her fluorescent pink plaster cast which is a fashion item! All I can say is that all the swimming, tennis and other activities planned for the summer holidays are on hold till mid summer!

So, to stop Alice getting bored we crafted together today which was great fun. You should have seen the mess in my craft room, papers everywhere!!! We each made a lined paper note pad set which comes as a template and cutting file from The Cutting Cafe. It is so easy to put together even a 10 year old can make it!

The lined paper comes as a .pdf which is printable on your printer and comes in 5 different colours to coordinate with your projects. The envelopes are super cute and can be dressed up how you like.

Great project for the girlies (large and small) and I can see that we shall be making more of these super note pad sets.

Teapot Shaped Card

I visited my best friend in Bristol a few weeks ago and we had a FABULOUS day together basically chatting over a cuppa. She asked me if I had any teapot shaped cards because she wanted to send one to her sister. Well, what perfect timing because Regina Easter from The Cutting Cafe has brought out the most adorable Teapot Shaped Card set which features two different teapots with matching envelopes. I used some lovely paper from my local papercraft shop that I have been saving for a special girlie card!

For the greeting I have used one of the printable stamps from the Tea Time printable stamp set which features 31 images! All I did was to print the greeting on my laser jet printer in .pdf format and then used my heart shaped nestabilities to layer it onto the card.

I used an abundance of pearls to give that extra bling.

I am sending this card to my best friend Nina.

I have entered this card into the following challenge:-

Creative Card Crew Challenge - Die Cuts